NFL Wild Card: Picks, predictions against the spread

NFL Wild Card: Picks, predictions against the spread

Can you believe the playoffs are already here? The regular season flew by and now there aren’t too many games left. We’ve got four this week, so let’s dive in and pick who will advance to the divisional round.

No. 5 Tennessee Titans at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs (-8)

The Titans held the Jaguars in check just enough to get the win they needed to punch their ticket to the playoffs. But a slow offense plus a trip to Arrowhead in the playoffs looks like a bad combination. I know people can’t wait to see Alex Smith’s yearly implosion in the playoffs, but it won’t happen here.

Chiefs win and cover.

No. 6 Atlanta Falcons at No. 3 Los Angeles Rams (-5.5)

It took until the final week of the season for the defending NFC champions to return to the playoffs, but here they are, taking on the young studs in Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and the Rams. But the experience factor looms large here. Atlanta is coming off a Super Bowl, while most of the Rams are in their first playoff game. I like the way Atlanta is playing and think they can go into L.A. and score the upset.

Falcons win.

No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (-9)

Blake Bortles vs. Tyrod Taylor. Jaguars vs. Bills. In the playoffs. Good for Bills fans, though. It’s always exciting to see a long playoff drought fall. But such a shame that LeSean McCoy got banged up in the Week 17 win. Kelvin Benjamin is also hurt. Both might play, but with the injuries and the defense of the Jaguars, Buffalo’s return to the playoffs will be a short one.

Jaguars win but don’t cover.

No. 5 Carolina Panthers at No. 4 New Orleans Saints (-7)

Carolina did not look all that great in Week 17 against the Falcons and the offense doesn’t look consistent and explosive enough to keep up with the Saints. It is tough to beat a team three times in the same season, but it looks likely here for New Orleans. The Panthers are getting some key pieces back, which should help, but the Saints will be too much to handle.